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Election season has begun, maybe election season never ends.

The Republican primary likely won't be exciting - if Trump backs Vance or Rubio or both, they'll have no serious challenge.

The Democrat field is wide open - Gavin Newsom is the clear frontrunner now, but when has the clear frontrunner this far out held on to it? History says it's best to be off the radar at this point.

What do Democrats want? The list is long but you know the basics - someone pro-choice, anti-gun, environmentally friendly, lgbtq friendly, etc. Most importantly, they want someone who can win it all.

Who can win it all? Maybe it would help to take a look at the last 3 to do it.

Bill Clinton - former governor. 'Southern' guy appeal to traditionally red areas. (Arkansas, 6 EVs).

Barack Obama - African american senator - with a focus on Healthcare. (Illinois, 19 EVs)

Joe Biden - former Senator. Friends with (and owes nomination victory to) James Clyburn. (Pennsylvania, 19 EVs)

Mix all that together and we're looking for a 'Southern' African american senator, with a focus on Healthcare, who is friends with James Clyburn, from a state with around 15 EVs. How about someone without any ties to scandals or ridiculous statements, someone who is interview-friendly, someone who does not like Trump but also has not centered their entire political identity around that? A seemingly true believer of the Democrat partys basic platform who is currently 'off the radar'.

What if this person existed?

What if they were .6 cents to the dollar to win the Democrat party nomination - behind LeBron James, behind Liz Cheney, even with Hunter Biden?

I would personally prefer Democrats nominate(appoint) a terrible candidate again, I would rather that hypothetical 165/1 stay put - but as your financial advisor/life coach I would advise you to put at least a 20 on it.

nairiporter

The map above shows roughly who controlled what parts of Africa in 1880.
This is just 5 years before the Berlin Conference in 1885 that would launch the so-called “Scramble for Africa,” of full European domination and conquest of the continent.

However, as you can clearly see in the map above European colonisation was already well underway at this point.
(Source)

airiefairie

Recent proposals by the US administration to tighten entry requirements should concern anyone who cares about civil liberties and personal privacy. Under the new rules, visitors seeking short-term entry would be required to disclose years of social media activity, contact details, and information about family members. This represents a significant expansion of state surveillance, with little clarity on how the data would be collected or used.

The stated aim is national security, but such measures risk becoming arbitrary and authoritarian. Decisions about who constitutes the “wrong kind” of visitor could easily extend beyond genuine security threats to lawful expression and political opinion. Many people have publicly expressed views that those in power might dislike; that alone should never be grounds for scrutiny or exclusion.

Moreover, the policy is unlikely to achieve its stated goal. Most violent crime in the US is committed by its own citizens, not foreign visitors. These proposals appear impractical, intrusive, and counterproductive, potentially deterring travel without making anyone safer. If safety is truly the priority, attention would be better directed at domestic issues that pose far greater and well-documented risks.

luzribeiro

What do east coast people call each other?

( Read more... )

fridi

For centuries the West has held outsized global power, even though Western societies were always a demographic minority. That dominance is now slipping, and although the world is still built on Western foundations (established institutions, science, law, finance) the West can no longer assume it sets the terms for everyone else. The real question is what kind of Western dominance is fading, and what might replace it.

After 1945 the USA forged a politically unified West, but then diluted that cohesion by framing itself as leader of the entire Free World, defined mostly by what it opposed. This logic survived the Cold War and eventually turned into a universalist liberal project that depended on having enemies to justify itself. When liberal democracy failed to spread globally (and when the US electorate doubled down on America First) the gap between Western ambitions and Western capabilities became impossible to ignore.

The West now faces three paths.

( Read more... )

mahnmut

Much on the subject, eh? Examples of tasks given to AI gone awry abound, I'm sure you've realized by now. Well, for instance this article collects a series of AI-generated images where image-generation tools misinterpret prompts so wildly that the results are just... surreal.

Way to go, AI?

( SEE MOAR )

fridi

Although this month's topic is The AI Arms Race, I'd like to use one of the suggested topics for next month and go ahead of schedule a bit, and post on that topic now: Democracy in the Algorithm Age

In today's digitally saturated world, elections no longer hinge solely on speeches, rallies, or television ads. They increasingly depend on data. The turning point came with the 2008 campaign of Barack Obama, when his team embraced Web 2.0 tools: social networks, email, online video, to reach voters directly. More than half of adult Americans used the Internet in the 2008 election, and many became politically active online: donors, volunteers, and grassroots mobilizers.
LINK / LINK

But Obama’s team did more than broadcast broadly: they built detailed voter profiles, using public records and behavioral data to segment the electorate into fine-grained groups: young voters, minorities, new voters, even niche social networks never before used by major campaigns. By doing so, they could tailor communications, fundraise online, and create a sense of community among supporters. This data-driven approach didn't just expand reach, it changed the relationship between citizen and campaign, arguably revitalizing democratic participation for many previously disengaged voters.
PDF / PDF

( Read more... )

abomvubuso

Hey guys! Holiday season is coming! Well, now that December has come, here's what you guys chose for a monthly topic:

The AI Arms Race

And here's the poll for January:

What should be the next monthly topic?

1) The Weaponization of Energy
2) Democracy in the Algorithm Age
3) The New Non-Aligned Movements
4) The Politics of Identity Economics
5) Political Utopias: The Best Ideas That Never Worked

(Feel free to suggest more topics)

asthfghl

Slavic geometry... Is this perfection? Mathematicians, explain 😂

asthfghl

Elon Musk’s new X policy unwittingly exposes MAGA influencers as foreign trolls
Some users were based in places like Nigeria, Eastern Europe, and India despite posting U.S.-focused right-wing content

It's hard not to laugh at how the modern internet keeps exposing the loudest "patriots" online. The moment X rolled out its new "About This Account" transparency feature, it became obvious that many of the accounts shouting about civil war in the US aren't even located in the US. They're posting from places like Nigeria, Russia, Bangladesh, Eastern Europe, basically anywhere with cheap internet and a financial incentive to manufacture outrage.

For years, Americans have believed their political divide was between liberals and conservatives, patriots vs "globalists". But this new feature showed something far more embarrassing: much of the online conflict wasn't between Americans at all, it was between Americans and foreign troll farms. Suddenly, every profile wrapped in American flags, Bible quotes, and AI-generated eagles came with a geolocation tag, and a staggering number weren't remotely close to the US.

( Read more... )

mahnmut

Happy Friday, everyone!
As we wrap up another week of debates, deep analysis, and the occasional keyboard-smashing moment, it's time for something far more important than politics: beverages!

This morning, scientists* announced the results of a groundbreaking study aiming to settle one of humanity's oldest divisions: Is coffee or tea the superior drink?

*Scientists, in this case, meaning a group of very tired grad students who realized their grant money ran out three months ago.

Key Findings:
Coffee drinkers reported higher alertness, increased productivity, and a 97% chance of starting a sentence with "Okay, but hear me out..."
Tea drinkers reported lower stress, better digestion, and a 97% chance of saying "I could stop anytime I want" while brewing their fifth cup.
Both groups agreed unanimously that decaf doesn't count and that anyone who microwaves water "should be monitored".

Unexpected Discovery:
During the "peace talks", both factions bonded deeply over their shared distrust of people who say they "don't like any hot drinks". Negotiations immediately shifted from beverage supremacy to forming a unified front against these monsters.

Conclusion:
After hours of heated debate (and increasingly shaky hands), the panel reached a historic agreement:
Both coffee and tea are valid, noble, necessary survival fluids, and anyone trying to rank them must first drink a glass of water and calm down.

So in the spirit of bipartisan beverage cooperation, grab your mug of choice, take a sip, and enjoy a peaceful Friday! You’ve probably earned it.

asthfghl

Lately, there's growing alarm in expert circles that artificial intelligence, especially superintelligent AI, could pose an existential threat to humankind. Thinkers like Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares, along with researchers like James Barrat, warn that if a "superintelligent" AI were ever built, one more intelligent than all of humanity combined, it might act in ways we cannot foresee. As Stuart Russell puts it: "We have absolutely no idea how it works, and we deploy it to hundreds of millions of people". The concern is that such an AI could gain control of communication networks, labs, even dangerous weapons, and because its "psychology" could be completely alien to ours, its goals might not include human flourishing.

Bill Gates has echoed similar worries more recently. Although, at first, he believes AI could bring tremendous benefits, he has joined guys like Elon Musk in warning that unchecked development might lead to serious risks. Gates argues for extreme caution, saying we must "not do anything stupid" as we march toward more powerful systems. These aren't just sci-fi fears: they come from some of the people building and funding AI.

( Read more... )

fridi

Ignacia Fernández, 27-year-old model and vocalist of progressive death metal band Decessus went viral last week for her brutal performance in the seminfals. She showcased her extreme vocals and stunned the judges.
Then last Sunday, she was crowned Miss World Chile and will advance to the Miss World and Miss Universe contests.

https://blabbermouth.net/news/death-metal-singer-ignacia-fernandez-crowned-miss-world-chile-2025

Her performance:

VIDEO

luzribeiro

So, it turns out some freshly released emails from Epstein claim that Trump spent hours with one of the victims at Epstein's home, and that Trump "of course... knew about the girls", according to the financier:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/12/trump-spent-hours-with-victim-at-epsteins-house-email-alleges

Meanwhile, the White House's response? Well, the Press Secretary insisted the emails "prove absolutely nothing other than the fact that President Trump did nothing wrong".

What really takes the comedic cake: there's the unspoken claim (not exactly phrased this way, but implied) that the Trump who was allegedly involved is somehow "a different Donald Trump" than the one we know. Maybe one who accidentally walked into Epstein's house unawares? The actual statement was that the leaks are cherry-picked, part of a hoax, etc you know the drill - but the tone amounts to "not the Trump you know, folks!"

Of course, I'm not saying guilt or innocence here - the facts are still being debated, investigations are ongoing, lots of redactions and blacked-out names. For what it's worth, one of the victims named in other sources is Virginia Giuffre, though whether she's the one referenced in these specific emails is unverified.

And yes - the irony is thick: a man who once said "I've known Jeff [Epstein] for 15 years; terrific guy... it is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side", is now being defended by his own administration with the "nothing to see here / different guy" approach. Classic Donnie, eh?

asthfghl

So apparently, Russia has found a new enemy of the state - and it's not NATO, not the West, not TikTok... it's Masha and the Bear.

Yes, you read that right. A Russian political scientist and pro-Putin activist named Vadim Popov has proposed that the beloved children's cartoon "Masha and the Bear" be restricted - or even banned - because it allegedly "contradicts traditional Russian values". Whatever that means.

His argument? Brace yourselves.

A little girl shouldn't live alone.

She shouldn't be talking to animals.

And, generally speaking, no child should ever experience magical or unrealistic things - because that apparently "confuses children and leads them away from the true path of Russian spirituality".

Popov also took aim at other dangerous Western influences like Pippi Longstocking, Alice in Wonderland, and of course Harry Potter. (Someone please check if Winnie the Pooh is already on the sanctions list!)

So yeah - the battle for Russia's moral soul now officially includes cartoon bears, talking teapots, and imaginary friends.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the Kremlin:
"Comrade, what about the economy?"
"Forget the economy! Masha is corrupting our youth!"

Happy Friday, comrades - may your cartoons remain unbanned and your bears remain cute and friendly. 🐻😂

nairiporter

Lately I've found myself increasingly uneasy about how the appeal of strongman leadership is not just surviving but thriving, even in places where we once took democratic norms for granted. A recent article in The Economist reminds us that what once felt like an aberration is now looking more like a trend:
https://www.economist.com/culture/2025/10/30/strongmen-in-politics-and-technology-are-changing-the-world

In essence, the piece argues that the model of the bold, decisive leader who breaks through gridlock, fights the "elites" and projects strength is resonating in electorates weary of dysfunction and uncertainty. The fact that this is taking place not only in emerging democracies but among older ones suggests we're witnessing more than isolated cases, it may be a structural shift.

One contemporary example stands out: Leaders who position themselves as the antidote to bureaucratic inertia or corrupt elites tend to gain traction especially when institutions appear weak or compromised. That dynamic aligns with earlier scholarship showing that in weak states, strongmen win by promising "tough decisions" and then gradually hollowing out checks and balances:
https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/why-strongmen-win-in-weak-states/

( Read more... )

abomvubuso

Another month has rolled, and it's time to see what's the new topic that you chose last time! Aaaand, teh winrar is...

Authoritarian Chic: Why Strongmen Keep Winning

And here's the poll for December! Just list the numbers of the topics that you favour:

What should be the next monthly topic?

1) The Age of Sanctions: Power Without Bullets

2) Democracy vs. Demographics

3) The AI Arms Race

4) Colonial Legacies: Shadows of Empire

5) Political Scandals That Deserved a Netflix Series

(Feel free to suggest more topics)

fridi

Heavy metal may sound loud and aggressive, but research says it actually makes fans happier. Psychologist Nico Rose, in his book Hard, Heavy and Happy, explores how metal music boosts well-being, helping listeners manage anxiety and depression. Even Wacken, one of the world's biggest metal festivals, has become a haven for happiness, showing that for many "heavy metal" really means "happy metal":

In short, the reasons:

Reason 1: Metal fans have a strong sense of community

Reason 2: Metal provides an outlet for stress and anger

Reason 3: Metal leads to feelings of joy and empowerment

VIDEO HERE

abomvubuso

Three years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both sides of the front are facing a silent but devastating battle - not over territory, but over the will to fight.

A recent investigation by the independent Russian outlet Verstka paints a harrowing picture of violence within the Russian army. Commanders have reportedly executed, tortured, and even forced their own soldiers into "gladiator fights" to enforce obedience. According to Verstka, more than a hundred Russian servicemen have been accused of murdering or torturing comrades, with at least 150 confirmed deaths - and likely many more unreported.

LINK (ru)

The report details systematic brutality: soldiers thrown into pits, beaten for hours, or used as human shields in suicidal missions. Those who refused to obey were labeled "zeroed" - a grim military slang for elimination. Despite thousands of official complaints submitted to Russia's military prosecutor’s office, almost no senior officers have faced accountability.

On the other side of the conflict, a different form of despair is taking shape. Nearly 100,000 Ukrainian men aged 18 to 22 have reportedly left the country in just two months after Kyiv relaxed border restrictions this summer. The policy change, intended to encourage voluntary service and address a shortage of troops, may instead have spurred a quiet exodus.

LINK (en)

For both Russia and Ukraine, the war has become a test not only of military strength but of moral endurance. Many Russian soldiers appear trapped between fear of their own commanders and fear of the front. Many young Ukrainians, meanwhile, seem unwilling to sacrifice their futures in a war that shows no sign of ending.

As these two nations continue to bleed - one through coercion, the other through flight - the conflict reveals an unspoken truth: this is the war no one truly wants to fight.

asthfghl

Never saw this coming, did you?

LARGE VERSION -> CLICK

Credits & Style Info

Talk Politics.

A place to discuss politics without egomaniacal mods

MONTHLY TOPIC:
The AI Arms Race

DAILY QUOTE:

"Humans are the second-largest killer of humans (after mosquitoes), and we continue to discover new ways to do it."

(tcpip)

December 2025

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Summary

oportet - Longshot +5 comments
nairiporter - Friday offtopic. Africa just before the Scramble +3 comments
airiefairie - Security or surveillance? +3 comments
luzribeiro - Friday offtopic. The Bro Map Of America +2 comments
fridi - Some scenarios for the future of the collective West +2 comments
mahnmut - Friday LOLs. On/offtopic: The AI apocalypse we didn't ask for +1 comment
fridi - Democracy in the Algorithm Age
abomvubuso - Monthly topic +7 comments
asthfghl - Friday LOLs. The perfect Slavic geometry, courtesy of Gopnik
asthfghl - The patriotic bot brigade +1 comment
mahnmut - Friday offtopic: The Great Coffee vs. Tea Peace Talks of 2025 +2 comments
asthfghl - We're all gonna die, ain't we? +8 comments
fridi - Friday offtopic. Death metal goes to Miss World +1 comment
luzribeiro - Classic Donnie +1 comment
asthfghl - Friday nonsense corner: Russia vs Masha and the Bear +2 comments
nairiporter - On topic: Strongmen are the new chic +8 comments
abomvubuso - Monthly topic +8 comments
fridi - Friday off-topic: Why metalheads are happier people +1 comment
abomvubuso - The war no one wants to fight
asthfghl - Friday nonsense: The Palindromists

Talk politics.

A place to discuss politics without egomaniacal mods.

Entries

Longshot

Friday offtopic. Africa just before the Scramble

Security or surveillance?

Friday offtopic. The Bro Map Of America

Some scenarios for the future of the collective West

Friday LOLs. On/offtopic: The AI apocalypse we didn't ask for

Democracy in the Algorithm Age

Monthly topic

Friday LOLs. The perfect Slavic geometry, courtesy of Gopnik

The patriotic bot brigade

Friday offtopic: The Great Coffee vs. Tea Peace Talks of 2025

We're all gonna die, ain't we?

Friday offtopic. Death metal goes to Miss World

Classic Donnie

Friday nonsense corner: Russia vs Masha and the Bear

On topic: Strongmen are the new chic

Monthly topic

Friday off-topic: Why metalheads are happier people

The war no one wants to fight

Friday nonsense: The Palindromists

Credits & Style Info

Links

December 2025

Summary